Week 3

Things are moving right along. It's still strange living in the city. My apartment is just off the corner of two of the busiest streets in Honolulu. Four years ago, the population was at around 900,000. Now, most estimates put it close to 1 million. That's a lot of people for a small island. The population is pretty interesting. One of the things I learned before leaving was that the island was made up of about 20% white/caucasian. The other 80% are either local indigenous people or (mostly) from Asia--China, the Philippines, other Pacific islands, and, largely, Japan. It's a strange mix.

There are white people who are from Hawai'i; their family has lived here for several generations, and they are considered kama 'aina, which means "of the island". I am considered a haole, pronounced "HOW-lee". This is a generic term that usually refers to a white person who isn't from the islands or who doesn't live on the island. Since I live here now, and especially since I have my UH student ID, I can get kama 'aina rates at most local businesses. These are the equivalent of student rates or non-tourist rates. Basically, I get to pay the price that locals pay.

That's about as close to becoming kama 'aina that I can get, which is really okay with me. There's a strange sort of attitude that comes with living on an island. There's a sense that you're trapped. Maybe it's the same on the mainland, but at least there's the illusion that you can move up or out or away from something. Here, you can't. If you go in any direction, all you find is the Pacific Ocean. (Which is beautiful, by the way.)

People generally keep to themselves here. There's not much nodding as you pass on the street. I'm used to being able to at least make eye contact and smile or nod as I pass someone--and that happens occasionally--but for the most part, people are tuned into their iPods or cell phones, or are just too interested in where they're going to pay attention to other people on the street. People are friendly...don't get me wrong, but it's a different kind of friendliness. I guess, shocked as I am to admit it, I miss not living in the city. Things are convenient here. I can walk to Wal-Mart, the mall, school, grocery stores, and the beach, but I'm surrounded by people all the time. I certainly don't hate it here, but if I had the choice, I think I'd live somewhere else. Somewhere quieter, maybe, but close enough to a city that I could be there in a flash to hang out or get supplies. I've thought about moving up into the mountains here or out on the North Shore. It's much quieter there and less populated. I'd have lizards everywhere, but I'd also have some more space. So...I guess right now, I'm weighing geckos against people. Which population is more annoying?

That's a way more difficult question than it should be.

I think of family and friends constantly. I miss you guys and I can't wait to see you at Christmas.